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Greeson: Saying farewell to a police chief who made a difference

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 4/7/17. Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) Chief Fred Fletcher listens to Mayor Andy Berke say complimentary things about him just after Chief Fletcher announced that he will retire later this summer, once his three year contract with the City of Chattanooga is fulfilled.
Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 4/7/17. Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) Chief Fred Fletcher listens to Mayor Andy Berke say complimentary things about him just after Chief Fletcher announced that he will retire later this summer, once his three year contract with the City of Chattanooga is fulfilled. Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 4/7/17. Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) Chief Fred Fletcher listens to Mayor Andy Berke say complimentary things about him just after Chief Fletcher announced that he will retire later this summer, once his three year contract with the City of Chattanooga is fulfilled.

By Jay Greeson 3 min read

photo Jay Greeson

Normally, in this space on Saturdays, I try to amuse.

The news business can be serious and sad and far too often filled with angst.

Heck, my original spin for today was about a Michigan chimpanzee who hit an elderly lady in the face with poop.

Yes, it was as funny as it sounds, until you realize the officials at the John Cook Zoo in Grand Rapids were already using behavioral specialists for said chimp. Yes. A behavioral specialist for a chimpanzee.

Well, the chance for chuckles took a backseat Friday afternoon when news that Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher announced his timetable for departure.